Since I was already in the mood, might as well finish up my bedroom. My accessories and jewelry would be packed next. Then books and the few keepsakes from my ballerina days.
What about the cache of treasures from my brother?
Wow. I wouldn’t take them to college. They were too precious to run the risk of damage or theft. So...
I could leave them at Harley House. Or Nags Head.
How about both? Yeah, a few things in either home. It was safer that way.
The slam of the garage door reverberated throughout the house. A babble of voices drifted up the back stairs from the kitchen.
“Sara?” my dad called.
I hurried down. Grant, Camarin, and Scott awaited me in the family room.
“We finished the gazebo!”
“Scott, that’s great. What’s left?”
“All of the major features are in place for the wedding site. After I’ve installed the lighting with you, I can wrap up the final details and it’ll be ready.” He turned to the Beings. “Thank you for helping me. You’ve been awesome.”
Grant inclined his head. Camarin gave a tiny nod.
My smile dimmed as the reality hit me. “The two of you are completely done.”
“We are,” she said.
“Will you leave soon?”
“We must.”
“Oh. Wow.” I didn’t want them to go, but of course they had to.
Scott gave us all an odd look. “What’s next for you?”
Grant cleared his throat. “We shall report back to our headquarters for new assignments.”
“Will you let me treat you to dinner? We’ve had a hard day, and you got an incredible amount of work done.”
Camarin opened her mouth—to decline from the looks of it—when Grant touched her arm. They exchanged a glance, and then both nodded.
“Thank you, Scott,” Grant said. “We would like that. We’ll take a moment to clean up.”
As the Beings sauntered away, Camarin whispered insistently, gesturing with her lovely hands while he grinned.
Scott glanced down at his clothes. “I’ll need to get cleaned up too. Where should I take us?”
“Are you including me?”
“Of course I am.” His eyes narrowed, as if irritated at the question. “I couldn’t have done this project without you.”
“It was my fault—”
“Drop that, okay? We’re good.”
“Okay.” I gestured at my shorts and camisole. “Should I change?”
“No, you look beautiful.” He checked his watch. “Can you meet me at the town park in an hour? I’ll bring the food.”
